5 Palms, Thulusdhoo

This dive site, 5 Palms, located near Thulusdhoo in the Maldives, is celebrated as an enjoyable drift dive suitable for divers of all experience levels. The reef structure begins at a shallow 5 meters, gradually descending to 8 meters, before reaching a sandy plateau at 22-25 meters. While primarily a drift, its generally manageable currents allow for exploration of the reef's varied depths, making it accessible for both novice and experienced divers. There is no specific historical information or unique story attributed to the naming or discovery of this dive site. Divers at 5 Palms can expect to encounter a rich array of marine life. Common sightings include impressive napoleon wrasse, whitetip reef sharks, schools of sweetlips, various perch species, graceful green turtles, and camouflaged stingrays. At specific times, the site offers the exciting possibility of observing magnificent manta rays and mobula rays, particularly around the deeper sandy plateau where larger pelagics tend to appear, drawn by currents and potential feeding opportunities. The best time to visit 5 Palms to maximize chances of seeing manta rays and mobulas would typically align with the plankton-rich seasons, which vary by atoll but generally coincide with monsoon periods (e.g., northeast monsoon from December to May or southwest monsoon from June to November). This site is excellent for wide-angle photography due to the potential for large marine life encounters. For freedivers, the accessible reef top starting at 5 meters and the moderate depths make it a fantastic location for breath-hold dives, observing the vibrant reef life and potentially spotting larger animals as they pass by.